| Family: |
Dichichthyidae (Bristle shark) |
| Max. size: |
97.3 cm TL (male/unsexed); 104.6 cm TL (female) |
| Environment: |
bathydemersal; marine; depth range 666 - 1175 m |
| Distribution: |
Southwest Pacific: New Zealand. |
| Diagnosis: |
Vertebrae: 133-143. This large bristle shark is distinguished by the following set of characters: preanal length, 58.1-62.1% TL; pre-first dorsal length, 50.5-53.4% TL; prenarial length is moderately long, 4.0-5.2% TL; head is depressed, its height 0.6-1.1 times its width; mouth is moderately wide, its width 9.0-11.4% TL; lower labial furrows is distinctly longer than uppers (uppers 1.4-2.0% TL, lowers 2.0-2.8% TL); anal-fin is moderately large, its base 11.0-12.0% TL, posterior margin, 5.4-7.4% TL; pectoral–pelvic space, 21.2-26.1% TL; teeth in 102-106 files in upper jaw and ca. 94-101 lower jaw; vertebrae: monospondylous centra, 45-47; precaudal centra, 95-101; total centra, 133-143; body uniformly medium brown to greyish brown; fins with white margins, variable but mostly broad; (Ref. 130868). |
| Biology: |
The stomach of the gravid female paratype (CSIRO H 9287-01), from which the reproductive
tract was removed, contained one 40.0-45.0 cm long whiptail, Coelorinchus trachycarus
and beaks of two octopus, Muusoctopus clyderoperi. The females examined ranged from 63.7-104.6 cm TL, smallest mature female was 97.1 cm TL. The males examined ranged from 63.2-97.3 cm TL, smallest mature male was 85.6 cm TL; two males of 632 and 642 mm TL have immature claspers with no evidence of maturation beginning (Ref. 130868). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 30 April 2024 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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